Introduction

Shilpgram is a pretty crafts village about 3 kilometers (2 miles) west of Udaipur near Havala village. This ethnic village hosts a crafts fair every year in November/December for 10 days, where artisans from different regions of the country display their creations. Sprawled out over 70 acres of land surrounded by the rugged Aravallis, this Rural Arts and Crafts Complex is conceived as an ethnographic museum to showcase the lifestyles of the tribal people of the west zone. You will come across traditional thatched, mud huts displaying artwork from all over Rajasthan, as well as the states of Gujarat, Goa and Maharashtra. The interiors of these traditional huts are mirrored and offer hand woven clothes, embroideries, mirror works, pottery, beadwork, wood carving and an array of handicraft. Keep at least a few hours in hand to explore this village, as the variety is enormous. You can watch a cultural performance, browse the stalls for tribal knick-knacks, attend a demonstration on handicraft making, ride a camel or dress up in a traditional Rajasthani outfit and have your pictures taken.

A tour of Shilpgram is a great opportunity to mingle with the craftsmen and get a glimpse into their way of life. While exploring the fair, you will come across the Crafts Bazaar which displays a motley collection of local art and offers the best deals in Rajasthani handicraft. This is your chance to pick up armloads of souvenirs for yourself and your friends back home.

The idea behind this fare is to foster the growth of cottage industry in Rajasthan. While browsing the crafts village, you will see local musicians and dancers perform their art and entertain the visitors. The place also has swings for children, besides a terracotta museum, an ethnographic museum and a sculpture park. You can catch a cultural show here any day of the week. A stroll around Shilpgram gives you a flavor of life in a Rajasthani village and leaves you impressed by the expertise of the local craftsmen.

Special Attributes

The variety of pottery and Rajasthani artifacts at the crafts village is incredible.

Nuisance

The site is very peaceful and free of irritants.

Dressing restrictions

Dress is whatever you find comfortable.

Connectivity

You can easily reach Shilpgram either by taking a regular bus, tonga, auto-rickshaw or taxi from the city.

Enjoyed by

Families, Senior Citizens, Backpackers

Exposure

You will be constantly under the open sky. If you are visiting during the day, the sun could be harsh, so you are advised to carry along sunshades and sunscreen lotion.

Avoidable Season

April, May, June, July, August, September, October

Facilities

You can enjoy camel rides and folk performances by local artists.

Things Not Allowed

No such restriction.

Tip

Choose to visit the village early in the evening. The colorful sunset sky adds to its open-air setting.

Type of site

An ethnic crafts village